Production: Working with the Background

Most people don't realize it, but what happens in the background of a
shot in production is just as important as the foreground. For
example, let's say you're shooting a scene that takes place in an
apartment. It's a very well written and dramatic scene; in fact, it may
even be the best thing you've ever read. And, to top that off, you've
casted some really great actors and are shooting with one of the best
camcorders possible. But, there was one thing you overlooked, the art
department.

Art Department

An art department is responsible for decorating the film set and
making it look real. They are just as important to a great looking shot
as the lighting is. If you're shooting a scene in an apartment where two
people who have been living together for five years are breaking up,
then the scene could fail without a great art department. That's because
the look of the apartment is just as important of a sell to the
audience as the actors' performances.

If your set is an empty and bare apartment, then no one is going to
believe that anyone works there. But, if it is cleverly decorated, then
you're creating a world for your characters that the audience will
believe. A great art department adds to the characters and scenes. Not
only is a great background visually appealing, but it can also tell a
story in itself.

Using Extras for Background

Let's say that your scene is comprised of two people sitting together
in a restaurant. Of course shooting in a real restaurant helps sell the
validity of the scene's illusion to the audience. But, if that
restaurant is empty, then the audience might feel as if something is
off. A sparse empty background is not visually appealing, and it does
not look right when trying to sell the scene to the audience. Hire
extras to fill the empty seats. This will make your restaurant look
busy. You can even get creative and give them tasks to complete behind
the camera so that the frame looks busier and more natural.

Working with extras can sometimes be overwhelming because they take
up a lot of space, have a lot of free time, and often are not
professional actors. Hire an amount of people that is manageable for
production, and make sure that there is a space away from set where they
can wait until needed. If any of the extras (also known as background
actors) are disruptive or disrespectful to anyone, do not hesitate to
fire them. Also, make sure that they're having quiet, mime-like
conversations in the background so they don't affect your sound.